I once had the misfortune to see Smokie, live, before they got their hits. They were the support act for the Jack Bruce Band at the Victoria Hall, Hanley. The most memorable thing about the gig (yes, even more memorable than Smokie) was Jack Bruce's boots, which were purple, and which he put to use kicking aside chairs at the back of the stage as he made his entrance. Me and my friends thought this was very rock 'n' roll. I think it might have been around the time of Harmony Row; I'm pretty sure he had Clem Clemson in the band with him.